Explore Principal Systems Engineer jobs on Ladders, where you can find vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more. Principal systems engineers shape the architecture and evolution of complex systems, connecting technical strategy with practical engineering execution across an organization.
Principal systems engineers guide the design, integration, and performance of systems across their full lifecycle. They translate business and customer needs into system requirements, define architectures, assess technical risks, and coordinate work across engineering disciplines. Depending on the employer, roles may focus on software, hardware, cloud platforms, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, or other complex environments.
Employers often seek extensive systems engineering experience, strong architectural judgment, and a record of delivering complex programs. Useful skills include requirements management, systems modeling, integration and verification, technical leadership, risk analysis, and clear communication. Industry-specific credentials, tools, or security clearances may be required for certain positions.
Principal-level roles typically carry significant technical responsibility and may offer compensation above $100,000, though pay varies with industry, location, experience, and scope. Compare current openings to understand the qualifications and compensation offered by individual employers. Principal systems engineers can progress into distinguished engineering, chief architect, engineering management, or technical executive roles.
Browse vetted professional openings and identify opportunities that match your expertise and career goals. Use Ladders to explore Principal Systems Engineer positions paying $100,000 or more and take the next step in your senior engineering career.
$130K - $160K *
Design robust distributed systems with zero-knowledge proofs. Contribute to building Rust-based rollup nodes and sequencers. Ensure security while enabling rapid development to scale smart contract ap...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$70K - $117K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in structural engineering to ensure the integrity and safety of marine vessels. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support critical naval operations and e...
1 week ago
Technical Program Manager, Industrial Controls, R&D
$144K - $211K *
Lead the charge in managing complex Industrial Controls workstreams, ensuring seamless execution of NPI programs. Collaborate across teams to deliver innovative automation solutions on time and within...
Today
$125K - $150K *
Innovate core infrastructure and systems for agent-native applications, ensuring high availability and performance while enabling a culture of developer efficiency and confidence in delivery...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$131K - $237K *
Lead the charge in managing complex IT programs, ensuring product development and lifecycle management while coordinating multiple vendors and teams to meet customer needs and deliver on strategic obj...
Today
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Engineer transformative solutions by integrating cutting-edge APIs into enterprise systems. Collaborate closely with clients to deploy production software efficiently while leveraging modern AI tools...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Enterprise IT Lead / Space Programs
$135K - $216K *
Champion cybersecurity governance by leading strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance, and fostering a culture of security across diverse operational environments. Drive program-wide adoption of sta...
Yesterday
$150K - $180K *
Take ownership of the technical strategy for a pioneering AI-native platform, making critical engineering decisions that influence the organization's future while mentoring a team to elevate overall t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $184K *
Pioneer the development and operational convergence through automation, designing CI/CD pipelines and driving release process efficiency to enhance software delivery across diverse teams and projects...
Reposted 2 days ago
$140K - $180K *
Lead the charge in driving innovative solutions as a Principal Solutions Engineer, collaborating with sales teams to deliver tailored technical proposals and enhance customer success through expert gu...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Cloud Engineering Governance - FedRAMP
$130K - $160K *
Lead governance initiatives in a multi-cloud environment, managing a team to secure and optimize cloud operations. Oversee compliance, develop policies, and optimize costs while ensuring alignment wit...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Systems Engineer - Mainframe MQ/CICS (Remote)
$80K - $180K *
Innovate with us to lead a dynamic team in designing and supporting cutting-edge technical infrastructure. Drive impactful projects, mentor junior engineers, and enhance operational stability while le...
2 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's leading the modernization of a legacy system. Drive architectural decisions, enhance engineering practices, and foster a culture of innovation while ensuring reliable delivery and c...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer Workforce Management
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable Workforce Management processes and tools, enhancing operational efficiency and planning accuracy across global Customer Excellence teams...
Yesterday
Senior Solutions Engineer, Enterprise
$250K - $300K *
Join a team that's redefining enterprise solutions! Leverage your expertise in networking and security to drive technical sales, support customer adoption, and influence product development while coll...
2 weeks ago
$59K - $106K *
Drive high-voltage transmission line design projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to execute technical tasks, prepare documentation, and enha...
1 week ago
Remote Operations SCADA/HMI Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Drive the development and maintenance of SCADA applications in a dynamic Remote Operations Center, collaborating with engineers and operators to enhance monitoring and operational support for power ge...
5 days ago
Software Engineer (Full Stack)
$120K - $200K *
Unlock potential by joining our engineering team to build high-performance, user-facing trading products. Shape the future of real-time web applications while collaborating across the stack to deliver...
4 weeks ago
Senior ML / Evaluation Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...
3 weeks ago
Power Systems Optimization Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of energy by optimizing power systems. Leverage your expertise in mathematical optimization and transmission planning to develop innovative solutions for grid cha...
3 days ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to architect and implement innovative AI applications, collaborating with stakeholders to deliver scalable, efficient solutions, and mentor junior developers while staying at the f...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $155K *
Join our dynamic team as a Senior Solutions Engineer, where you'll leverage your technical expertise to drive pre-sales activities, engage with clients, and deliver tailored solutions that enhance bus...
2 weeks ago
Principal AI Security Engineer
$172K - $240K *
Join a team that's redefining AI security! As a Principal AI Security Engineer, you'll lead assessments, design controls, and partner with teams to ensure safe AI adoption across the enterprise, drivi...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $140K *
Optimize web application development by leading design and implementation using .NET Core, ASP.NET, and Angular. Collaborate with teams, mentor junior developers, and ensure code quality while leverag...
Yesterday
$103K - $181K *
Join a dynamic team to automate and enhance software delivery for critical systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure system reliability and performance while supporting national secur...
2 weeks ago
What does a Principal Systems Engineer do?
A Principal Systems Engineer defines and guides the architecture, requirements, integration, and performance of complex systems. The role often includes technical leadership, risk management, cross-functional coordination, and mentoring.
What qualifications are commonly required for Principal Systems Engineer jobs?
Employers commonly look for substantial systems engineering experience, expertise in system architecture and integration, strong analytical and communication skills, and a record of leading complex technical work. Specific degrees, tools, certifications, or clearances depend on the industry and employer.
How much do Principal Systems Engineers earn?
Compensation varies by employer, location, industry, and experience. Ladders focuses on vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more; review each listing for its specific compensation details.
What industries hire Principal Systems Engineers?
Principal Systems Engineers work in industries such as aerospace and defense, software, cloud computing, telecommunications, automotive, energy, and other fields that develop or operate complex systems.
What career paths can follow a Principal Systems Engineer role?
Experienced professionals may advance into distinguished engineering or chief architect positions, lead larger technical organizations, or move into engineering management and technical executive roles.